Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Professional Development
Book Study
Generic

Sarah Betustak

Hammond,IN

Summary

Professional educator skilled in building positive classroom culture. Leverage diverse instructional strategies to meet the varying learning needs of students, ensuring understanding and engagement. Known for using a collaborative approach and utilize flexibility, focusing on problem solving and communication.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

4th Grade Classroom Teacher

Irving Elementary School
08.2019 - Current
  • August 2019-present
  • 2020 Hammond Education Foundation HERO in Education
  • Implemented literacy stations during a 100-minute Reading Block following the Daily 5 (Guided Teacher Station, Read to Self, Partner Read, Writing, Word Work, Listen to Reading)
  • Foster a shared love of reading with daily read alouds with #classroombookaday
  • Lead weekly grade level meetings to prepare for the upcoming week and share any information from Leadership Team
  • Collaborate with Language Development Department to implement instructional strategies to use with multilingual students
  • 4th grade team leader on Leadership Team (2019-present)
  • Dual Language English Facilitator (August 2021-present)
  • Created and implemented assessments to meet the needs of multilingual students
  • Assessed student progress through formative and summative evaluations, adjusting instruction as needed.

Teacher Learning League

School City Of Hammond
05.2025 - Current
  • Developed district-wide professional development
  • Facilitates professional development for all 4th grade teachers in the district
  • Supports facilitation of professional development for our building
  • Offers support to teachers and welcome them into my classroom to see modeled lessons

Student Teacher Cooperating Teacher

School City of Hammond
01.2023 - 05.2023
  • Supported TWO student teachers through daily routines
  • Collaborated with student teacher to better prepare for daily lessons to sharpen skills
  • Supported development of engaging lesson plans to foster student engagement
  • Daily encouragement
  • Observed teaching strategies
  • Provide feedback on strengths and weaknesses

Mentor Teacher

School City of Hammond
01.2008 - Current
  • Supported new 4th grade teachers as to daily routines, school expectations, and analyzing classroom data
  • Trained new teachers in implementing Math routines
  • Trained new teachers in implementing Readers Workshop routines
  • Mentored new educators by providing guidance on classroom management and lesson planning.

4th Grade Classroom Teacher

Lafayette Elementary School
08.2006 - 06.2019
  • Designed and revised a 4th grade curriculum map for 4th grade at our school level over the last seven years
  • Collaborated with 4th grade teachers to create a district-wide 4th grade curriculum map for all to follow
  • Aided principal in revising and proofreading Lafayette School's LP 221 Action Plan
  • Implemented literacy stations during a 100-minute Reading Block following the Daily 5 (Guided Teacher Station, Read to Self, Partner Read, Writing, Word Work, Listen to Reading)
  • Implemented math stations during a 90-minute Reading Block, including Teacher Guided Station, Fact Fluency, Independent Work, and Game practice
  • Raised school accountability grade from a failing school (2006) to a passing school (2008-2019)
  • Analyzed classroom and grade level data to revise instruction to improve scores
  • 4th grade team leader (2008-2019)
  • Developed engaging lesson plans aligned with state standards to enhance student learning outcomes.
  • Implemented classroom management strategies to foster a positive and inclusive learning environment.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

Saint Mary's College
01.2006

Master of Science - Curriculum And Instruction

Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
12-2025

Skills

  • Relationship building
  • Work collaboratively
  • Lesson planning
  • Organization
  • Data-driven instruction
  • Differentiation

Certification

  • Rules 2002 License - May 2006
  • Teachers of English Learners License - August 2024
  • Certified Dual Language Bilingual Education - December 2024

Timeline

Teacher Learning League

School City Of Hammond
05.2025 - Current

Student Teacher Cooperating Teacher

School City of Hammond
01.2023 - 05.2023

4th Grade Classroom Teacher

Irving Elementary School
08.2019 - Current

Mentor Teacher

School City of Hammond
01.2008 - Current

4th Grade Classroom Teacher

Lafayette Elementary School
08.2006 - 06.2019

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

Saint Mary's College

Master of Science - Curriculum And Instruction

Purdue University

Professional Development

  • Indiana Principal Leadership Institute November 2023- April 2024
  • LaCosecha (in-person) November 2024
  • LaCosecha (virtual) November 2023
  • SIOP Training June 2022
  • Project Lead the Way August 2020
  • ILEARN Alignment Committee November 2019
  • ILEARN Item Acceptance Committee April 2018

Book Study

  • Next Steps Forward to Guided Reading- Jan Richardson
  • Comprehension Connections- Tanny McGregor
  • QAR- Taffy Rafael

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